Yuvi proves a point with the ball as well

Mumbai: Comeback man Yuvraj Singh's maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket was the only aspect worth mentioning on the final day of the warm-up game between England and India 'A' ended that ended in a draw at the Brabourne Stadium.

Yuvraj, who has just nine wickets so far in 37 Tests, ended with figures five for 94 ' improving upon his previous best of three for 25 ' as England were all out for 426.

Already having dismissed Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell the other day, the left-armer further added the scalps of Samit Patel (104), Matt Prior (51) and James Anderson in the morning session itself to restrict the visitors' lead to 57.

At his second shot with the long handle, Yuvraj could manage just 14 being before being sent back by Tim Bresnan as India 'A' were 124 for four at close of play.

Resuming at 286 four, England captain Alastair Cook (119) added just seven to his overnight score before edging to wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha, off the bowling of Ashok Dinda.

The skipper's dismissal ended the 169-run partnership between him and Patel, both of whom steadied the ship after England were reduced to 133 for four.

The arrival of Matt Prior then quickened the scoring with the English stumper unleashing boundaries with ease. He, however, had had a slice of luck when, on four, he slashed Dinda only to be dropped by Ajinkya Rahane at gully.

Bringing up his half-century off as many balls, Prior fell to Yuvraj, edging to Suresh Raina at slip as the pair added 65 runs in just 12.1 overs. Patel, on the other hand, clawed his way to the three-figure-mark before Yuvraj struck again to remove him.

At lunch, England reached 396 for eight with Vinay Kumar picking up Graeme Swann with one that kept a tad low. In the seventh over after break, Yuvraj got his fifth when he had Anderson caught at short leg. Bresnan remained unbeaten on 33 and that ensured England went well past 400.

In their second innings, India had wiped off the deficit by tea with 68 on board after losing Abhinav Mukund, who fell cheaply to Anderson.

Anderson removed the other opener Murali Vijay (32) too, as the latter threw it away despite getting off to a good start.

Rahane (54) though was impressive, hitting six cracking boundaries before edging to slip off Patel. Captain Suresh Raina (19) and Manoj Tiwary (2) were the unbeaten batsmen at close. Raina, however, was lucky to be dropped on nought by Anderson at second slip off Bresnan and his stay at the crease later too was unconvincing, particularly against Bresnan's pace.

England now take on Mumbai 'A' in their second warm-up game at the DY Patil Stadium, in Navi Mumbai, from Saturday before proceeding to Ahmedabad for the third game ' a four-day tie ' against Haryana, from November 8.

The opening Test of the four-match series versus India is set to commence at the Motera, in Ahmedabad, from November 15.

(PTI)

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